Pride walk raises awareness of homeless LGBT youth

Two Utah women have embarked on a cross country walk to raise awareness of homeless youth who are gay, lesbian or transgender.

Chloe Noble and Jill Hardman began their journey in May from Seattle. Bound for Washington, D.C., the pair are making stops in various cities to speak at community centers and rallies about the struggles of homeless youth, including finding safe sleeping spots, police harassment, sexual predators and exposure to drugs and alcohol. The 3,000-plus mile trip is expected to take six months.

Noble, Hardman and Nicole Tomlin are currently walking between Portland and San Francisco.

Noble says they are scheduled to arrive in Salt Lake City on July 20. A chronicle of the Homeless Youth Pride Walk can be found on the Internet.

Meanwhile, the Utah Pride Center will host a 3-hour gathering on July 25 as part of the walk. The event will feature speakers, food and entertainment in an effort to raise awareness of the struggles facing the homeless youth epidemic in America, especially those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

The Salt Lake City event will be held at the Utah Pride Center at 4 p.m. at the Utah Pride Center, 355 N. 300 West. For more information, visit www.pridewalk2009.org.